Pa. woman convicted in second 'flirting' trial

UNIONTOWN, Pa. (AP) — A western Pennsylvania woman has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter for shooting her boyfriend after they argued because another man flirted with her when they were out drinking.

Fayette County prosecutors alleged the killing in August 2007 was premeditated.

But a jury on Thursday instead found that 44-year-old Johnna Palya, of Hopwood, was merely reckless when she killed 43-year-old Barry Pavlicko.

Palya testified the gun went off accidentally after Pavlicko held it to his head and dared her to shoot him. She says it went off when the couple struggled for the weapon.

Police had said Palya confessed to shooting Pavlicko, and that the physical evidence showed she did so purposely in the back of his head.

Palya will be sentenced Feb. 12